The Dark Worlds of H.P. Lovecraft, Volume 4

Howard Phillips Lovecraft has been hailed by literary critics as the inventor of modern horror and a cultivating force behind such modern writers as Robert Bloch (Psycho), Wes Craven (The Craft, Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream), and Stephen King (Pet Semetary, Carrie, Children of the Corn), just to name a few.

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Publisher's Summary

Howard Phillips Lovecraft has been hailed by literary critics as the inventor of modern horror and a cultivating force behind such modern writers as Robert Bloch (Psycho), Wes Craven (The Craft, Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream), and Stephen King (Pet Semetary, Carrie, Children of the Corn), just to name a few.

The Rats in the WallsAfter its complete restoration, the narrator of this tale moves into his ancestral family home. Soon afterward, however, he begins to hear noises in the walls. Suspecting rats, he sets out traps but finds these vermin are not the kind so easily dispatched. One of the all-time creepiest of Lovecraft's tales.

The Shunned HouseIn the city of Providence stands an antique home of which everyone whispers. Never called "haunted" exactly, it is known as a place "unlucky", one in which people have supposedly died in alarmingly great numbers. This is what Lovecraft's narrator tells us, just before he and his uncle begin a series of investigations into the old place, a place with a terrible odor, one that is stronger in the basement than any place else.

The Music Of Eric ZannIn the city of Lights, an impoverished student hears incredible music coming from peaked garret overhead. He knows little of the violin, but is certain from the fantastic pieces he hears night after night that he is in the presence of a highly original genius. But, it isn't long before he finds himself wondering, why does Zann only play at night? And why every night?

Brought to life again by the incomparable Wayne June come horrors from the mind of the Master himself, in the way that only he can.

As a lifelong Lovecraft fan, I am incredibly grateful that Audible has provided "The Dark Worlds of H.P. Lovecraft” series. I feel Wayne June’s voice and characterization lend themselves perfectly to Lovecraft’s writings in the previous volumes, and the same holds true for Volume 4. Perhaps we can hope for an audio version of Lovecraft’s personal correspondences with Robert E. Howard or August Derleth?

However, I do have one complaint. In this audio version of “The Rats in the Walls” the name of the narrator’s cat is given as “Black-Man” yet in the original text it’s name is “Nigger-Man.” This may seem like a small point, but I feel it detracts from the story as a whole. I am aware that this action may have been taken by Audio Realms in deference to some listeners’ delicate modern sensibilities, but that is no reason to tinker with the text. We must remember that Lovecraft was writing in a different era than our own and what he wrote was considered more socially acceptable. If one changes the name of the cat in this story because it has become socially unacceptable, what are we to make of the blatantly racial overtones of such stories as “The Shadow Over Innsmouth,” “The Dunwich Horror” and “The Horror at Red Hook”?

Except for this flaw, it’s ultimately a delightful series. I highly recommend the series to any reader, whether they are new to Lovecraft’s work or long-time fans, and I eagerly await any future offerings.

I have listened to many many HP Lovecraft works on Audible, and have been surprised at narrators' mispronunciations of what I consider to be common words. This narrator is excellent, and his voice and emoting allows you to be drawn very much into the story. Highly recommend.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Dark Worlds of H.P. Lovecraft, Volume 4 to be better than the print version?

Well, when I read these stories as a teenager they changed my life. Really, I had no idea books could take you to such dark horrific places. So there will always be a magic in the printed book. But this is a very good reading, and a great listen.

What did you like best about this story?

This is the genius of H.P. Lovecraft in full bloom. Horror that changed all horrror fiction afterwards.

What does Wayne June bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Wonderfull, deep, well paced reading. Excellent.

If you could take any character from The Dark Worlds of H.P. Lovecraft, Volume 4 out to dinner, who would it be and why?

EESH! Not sure if anyone in any of these three great stories are someone I would want to meet in the real world...

I have heard so much about the surreal horror of HP Lovecraft, and I wasn't entirely disappointed by this book, but neither was I blown away. There are good parts that will truly freak you out, but they are padded out too much to sustain the sense of dread.

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